Nationally-syndicated financial columnist and Certified Financial PlannerJeffrey Voudrie provides personal, in-depth money management services and advice to select private clients throughout the USA. He'll answer your financial question FREE at http://www.guardingyourwealth.net/
Sometimes it is the little things in life that really make the difference. That's especially true then when it comes to dealing with financial matters. Decisions about who to trust, what to invest in, making gifts or the type of insurance to buy all have long-term consequences--and often unintended results. There are many times that a simple answer from a professional would have made all the difference. And now you can get that answer free of charge.
I've written over 160 articles since Guarding Your Wealth was nationally-syndicated over two years ago. Based on the comments from readers, these articles contain information they find very helpful, allowing them to answer many of life's financial questions. You can freely explore this wealth of information at my website.
But sometimes it can be difficult to make the connection from a general news article to your own specific situation. Sure, that reader from Florida needed a Living Trust, but what about me? Those articles about Equity Indexed Annuities are informative, but what do I do about my elderly mother that just sunk all her money into one? It's obvious that retirement portfolios need to be well diversified, but what do I do with my nest egg?
That's where my 'Ask Jeff' can be of such a benefit. I can take my advice to readers nationwide and personalize it specifically for you. Many times you'll hear back from me in a couple of hours. Other times it may take a day or so--it all depends on how tied up I am at the time.
How do I make money doing this? (My wife asks me that question all the time!) 99% of the time I don't. I make a living serving as a personal, private money manager for a small group of clients nationwide. I provide a service they can't find anywhere else for a fraction of what others charge.
Most of those who ask me questions will never need or use my services. Occasionally someone will and, if they become a client, I receive a fee for managing money on their behalf. But the only payback for nearly all of the questions I answer is the knowledge that I am able to provide unbiased, honest advice that can't easily be found elsewhere. It's that I'm doing what's right.
Turning to the traditional financial services industry for answers to these kinds of questions isn't easy. If you go to an insurance agent, their answer will involve an insurance product. If the advisor makes money selling stocks or bonds, don't be surprised if their answer involves investing in them. Remember, if all you have is a hammer, everything begins looking like a nail! And you don't want to get nailed!
I'm not saying that most advisors are dishonest. They aren't. They are hard-working professionals with the best of intentions. But they work in an industry that values sales of products over all else. And consumers are typically kept in the dark about the tremendous conflicts of interest coloring their advisor's recommendations.
For instance, I've been researching a product pitched to seniors that has an 80% market share. But if someone were given all the information on this investment, no one would buy it! Of course those selling it are going to give you only the information you need to arrive at the conclusion they desire.
That's the way it usually works in the financial services industry. And that's a shame. It does a great disservice to industry professionals who should be highly regarded, and to those the industry is supposed to serve.
Nationally-syndicated financial columnist and Certified Financial Planner Jeffrey Voudrie provides personal, in-depth money management services and advice to select private clients throughout the USA. He will answer your financial question FREE.
Readers find my articles refreshing because they provide straight-forward, tell-it-like-it-is advice. Since I don't have a financial incentive in the outcome there isn't a reason for me to mislead you.
You will be sent an email to verify your email address. It is very frustrating for me to take the time to write a detailed answer to someone's question only to find out that the answer didn't reach them.
Remember, today's financial decisions may have long-term unintended consequences. So take me up on my offer, it won't cost you a thing.
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How To Write Memoirs - The Basic Principles
By: Trevor Johnson | 27/11/2009Many of us have at some stage of our lives thought about writing down our life experiences. But the idea often passes as quickly as it arrives. Most of us plainly don't know the basis principles of how to write memoirs.
THE VIBRANT SHADES OF VERMILLION
By: mamta | 27/11/2009The changes I underwent in life led me from a hatefulness to a strange fondness for the color red.. We always tend to relate colors with different moods and stages of our life..vibrant shades of vermillion brings about a few experiences that my heart encountered!
Random Things that Wake Me Up at Night
By: Kasan Groupe | 24/11/2009Title really says it all.
In Bible versus Quran: the Ostrich Forgets that a Foot may crush her Eggs
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 23/11/2009The Bible says that the ostrich forgets that a foot may crush her eggs or that the wild beast may break and trample them. The ostrich is not mentioned therein in the Quran. On the other hand, the Quran says that the birds in general live in societies like human beings.
Why Should You Write Your Own Life Story?
By: Patrika Vaughn | 19/11/2009Writing your life story is embarking on a journey through the past. It’s a unique journey, one no one else has ever taken.
In the Quran: Why did Allah Say unto Moses, behold the mountain?
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 18/11/2009The Noble Quran says that When Moses asked to see Allah, Allah Said, behold the mountain, which is stronger than you are, and if it remains, stays fixed, in its place, then you shall see Me’.
Bukit Merah
By: Jing | 17/11/2009A description of the town I live in. And humanity through my eyes.
Where to from Here?
By: Robert | 16/11/2009Something to Think About
Pulling Back The Curtain On Reverse Mortgages
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 18/04/2008 | MortgageLast week's article on reverse mortgages generated a very interesting response from one reader. This week I'd like to pull back the curtain on the real reason reverse mortgages have become so heavily marketed and what you need to do as a consumer to protect yourself.
House of Cards Part 2
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 04/04/2008 | InvestingLast week, I talked about how the current credit crises evolved. This crisis is the result of mistakes made by the homeowner, the mortgage company, the investment banks and the rating agencies. This week, you'll see what caused the House of Cards to fall and will learn how this example can keep you from making a financial mistake.
A House of Cards: Part 1
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 28/03/2008 | FinanceThe current credit crisis has impacted multiple sectors of our financial economy. Home foreclosures are on the rise. Credit-worthy consumers struggle to secure mortgages. Investment banks are brought to their knees. Foreign and domestic stock markets experience gut-wrenching volatility. The Federal Reserve is forced to take historical steps to maintain liquidity. And the list goes on.
Sticker Shock: Is Professional Financial Advice Costing too Much?
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 28/03/2008 | InvestingIt can be difficult for someone in the financial services industry to know how the investor feels, especially when first choosing which advisor to work with. I recently had an experience that put me in your shoes for a change.
A House Divided: Preserving Your Estate from Nursing Home Cost
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 22/03/2008 | FinanceOne of the biggest issues seniors face as they get older is how to preserve an inheritance for their children. Their biggest fear is spending all of that money on assisted living and/or nursing home care. As each family situation is different, so is each solution. Perhaps you can learn something from the experience of one of my clients.
Should Seniors Use Reverse Mortgages?
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 04/03/2008 | MortgageSome of the most popular products being pitched to seniors today are reverse mortgages. Everywhere you turn there are free seminars, free reports and free DVDs, all touting the amazing benefits these loans offer. Are reverse mortgages the answer to seniors prayers, or are they too good to be true?
Charting a Course for Emerging Markets
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 26/02/2008 | InvestingInvestors dissatisfied with domestic returns have been seeking greater growth in foreign markets. As noted in last week's article, the growth of emerging markets is not a short-term fad, but a long-term trend that will affect global markets for years to come. The question then, is how you can take advantage of this opportunity without losing your shirt. Read on to find out.
Can Emerging Market Growth Continue?
By: Jeffrey Voudrie | 25/02/2008 | InvestingAre the emerging markets just a fad? Find out what Jeff has to say about the growth of developing countries.